Key result
Adult Fontan patients had lower physical SF-36 scores compared to the general population (p≤0.05), though they reported a good overall quality of life with a mean score of 7.02.
Why the study?
Improved survival in adults with a Fontan-like circulation prompted an assessment of their subjective health status and quality of life.
Cross-Sectional (n=60)
Adult Fontan patients experience impaired physical health compared to the general population but maintain a good overall quality of life that is significantly influenced by education and occupation.
Should prompt physical function assessment in adult Fontan care; leaves open education and occupation effects on quality of life.
BACKGROUND: Progress in the management of complex congenital heart disease (CHD) led to an improvement in survival rates of adults with a Fontan-like circulation. The objective of this study was to assess the subjective health status and quality of life of this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients aged more than 18 years at the time of the study, who underwent a Fontan-like procedure. Subjective health status was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire and a linear analog scale was used to score patients' self-perception of their quality of life; cardiac and demographic parameters were collected. RESULTS: Among 65 eligible patients, 60 (23 females; mean ± SD age: 25.7 ± 7.2 years) answered the SF-36 questionnaire and 46 of these were interviewed to evaluate their perceived quality of life. Among them, 20 (33.3%) were working full-time and 21 (35%) experienced arrhythmias. The physical SF-36 scores were lower in patients than in the general population (p ≤ 0.05). The New York Hear Association (NYHA) class and occupation were correlated with SF-36 scores of physical activity (respectively, p = 0.0001 and p = 0.025). SF-36 scores of psychological status were associated with the number of drugs and occupation (respectively, p = 0.0001 and p = 0.02). The mean ± SD quality of life score measured using a linear analog scale was 7.02 ± 1.6 and was linked to education and occupation (p ≤ 0.05) but not with cardiac parameters. CONCLUSION: Adult Fontan patients perceive an impaired physical health but report a good overall quality of life. Education and occupation impacts significantly on Fontan patients' quality of life.
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Soufi et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Complex congenital heart disease (Fontan circulation) (n=60). Fontan-like circulation vs. General population was evaluated on Physical SF-36 scores (p=≤0.05). Adult Fontan patients had lower physical SF-36 scores compared to the general population (p≤0.05), though they reported a good overall quality of life with a mean score of 7.02.
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